‘Our Time, Our Place’ campaign becomes political row

DUP East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross has responded to criticisms by Sinn Féin’s Tourism Spokesperson Phil Flanagan that the ‘Our Time, Our Place’ tourism initiative was not working.

Phil Flanagan, Deputy Chair of the Enterprise, Trade & Investment Committee had said that provisional figures released by DETI showing a drop of 5% in overseas visitor numbers is a ‘clear indication that the ‘Our Time Our Place’ campaign, which has a fund of £4.7 million, is not delivering’.

The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MLA had said:

“ There has also been a more substantial fall of 16% in the level of expenditure by overseas visitors for the first six months of 2012 compared with the same period of 2011.

“This is a clear indicator that despite the considerable sum of £4.7 million being set aside solely to market the Our Time, Our Place campaign, it is not delivering as well as it should be.

“The continuing policy of marketing the north of Ireland as a complete separate entity to the rest of the island is not working and is proving to be a major obstacle for economic growth within tourism.

“Having three bodies promoting tourism is not working. We need to remove the duplication that exists and move to a system where a single body is charged with the promotion of tourism on an all-island basis.

Responding to the comments, DUP East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross said that the broader ni2012 campaign had
helped ‘boost the profile, and changed global perceptions of Northern Ireland’.
Mr. Ross said:

“Phil Flanagan is not concerned for tourism or the economy, but just wants to reject anything which promotes Northern Ireland. Indeed given Mr Flanagans most recent outburst and aggitation about a simple sign welcoming visitors to Northern Ireland one must wonder if it is the ‘ni’ part of the camapign that so upsets him?”

The DUP MLA added:

“Northern Ireland is a changed place, and the sucess of events such as the MTV Awards last year, the various ni2012 events this year and the World Police and Fire Games and UK City of Culture to look forward to next year has changed how the world views us and given people here a pride and positive ambition for what more we can achieve.

Sadly Mr Flanagan would rather complain about road signs and object to Northern Ireland being marketed at all.”